Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R S Reiffel.
Longitudinal stretching of wounds that cross the relaxed skin tension lines appears to be the stimulus that causes the body to form hypertrophic scars. Control or elimination of such stretching forces by the long-term use of paper tape, beginning at 2 weeks, has been effective in preventing such hypertrophic scarring.
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A retrospective analysis of data on 307 patients was made. The incidence of firmness in breasts augmented by saline-filled prostheses was compared to the incidence in breasts augmented by gel-filled prostheses. A statistically significant lower rate of constricting capsule formation was found in the saline-inflated group.
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Defects of the heel and sole represent difficult reconstructive problems in terms of tissue availability and postoperative morbidity. Although local flaps offer the optimal type of coverage, their application has been restricted to defects of limited size. A study of the plantar skin and fascia, as well as its neurovascular supply, was undertaken in cadavers. Mobility of local flaps is greatest with a narrow pedicle. Dissection deep to the plantar fascia allows the inclusion of the medial or lateral plantar nerve and artery with the flap, thereby allowing considerably mobility while preserving vascularity and sensibility. Several variations of the flap are presented with clinical examples.
Alveolar rupture in the neonate can result in the dissection of air along vascular sheaths and the formation of abnormal collections within the mediastinal, pleural, pericardial, or peripleural spaces or elsewhere. Intercostal tube placement for pneumothorax is frequently required. A method is presented for the placement of Intracath catheters into pericardial, anterior mediastinal, and peripleural collections of air when other adjustments in treatment have not allevaited clinical distress.